Arise and Shine:Meaning, reason, applicability

What does this command mean? Is it a disputable matter, or a straight forward one?  We will walk through together and get answers

 Both the words ARISE and SHINE in Isaiah 60:1 are indicative of a change. The good news is that the change is a positive one. They both connote improved standard of life, particularly in line with God’s plan as revealed through Prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 29:11) and also in 3 John v.2: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

 Why Arise And Shine?

Before embarking on a strategy to make something a reality, it helps to have the conviction that the thing is doable or achievable. Let me share with you 4 reasons why you should arise and shine in the context of Isaiah 60:1.

1. It is a Law.

The first 2 words of Isaiah 60: 1 are ARISE, SHINE. This phrase is not given as a suggestion. It is not an advice. It is not a dream; neither is it an opinion. It is a command given as received from God.

When a command comes from God, it is perfect according to Ps. 19:7: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple”. Whatever, the word of God says is settled, even in heaven (Ps. 119:89): “Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven”. God has spoken His word that you should arise and shine. You need a positive change from your present status. It is consistent with the word of God. The devil cannot change or alter the plan of God for you if you cooperate with God.

2. It is of the Lord

The validity of a statement or command depends on the author of that statement or law. The command to arise and shine originated from the Almighty God who says He is able to perform His own word: “For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, says the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 12:25). The LORD who commands you to arise and shine will make it happen in His own time.

3. The Lord is the Light.

The main reason given by Isaiah why the people should arise and shine is because their light has come and the glory of the LORD is on them: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1). The light referred to here is the Messiah who is Jesus Christ the Son of God. Malachi 4: 2 refers to Him as the Sun of Righteousness. Jesus Christ aptly described Himself as the “light of the world” two times in the scriptures: “Then Jesus spoke again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is light. As the sun radiates light into the earth, so also Jesus Christ has the capability to radiate divine rays of light to those who will heed His call to get out of darkness and come to His light.

4. It is a Sign of Life.

Only the living can arise and shine, the dead cannot. For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: (Isaiah 38: 18- 19). The last phrase in the book of Psalms also alludes to this: “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 150:6). As long as you are alive the potential to arise and shine is in you. All you have to do is praise God and you will shine because Psalm 67: 5-7 says God will bless anyone that praises Him. The blessings of God can make you arise and shine.

How To Arise And Shine

While God has already made provisions for His followers to arise and shine, these followers must play their part to actualize this plan in their individual lives. Note that as long as the power switches in your house are in off position, there will be darkness in the house especially in the deep night hours. When you turn the power switches “on”, and everything else is in order, there will be a change from darkness to light. The change occurred because you took an action. What are those things that you must do to arise and shine as you are meant to be?

1. Connect with Christ: Before any object can shine there must be a source of reflection of light to that object. In other words, it is reflected light that makes things sparkle and shine. Jesus Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5) and He declares “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15: 5). In order to shine therefore, you must be connected with Jesus Christ from whom you can obtain the light that will make you shine. Furthermore, He can give you the power to arise as He is the custodian of all heavenly and earthly power (Mt. 28:18). His power that made Lazarus to rise up after 4 days in a decaying death status (Jn. 11: 17- 44) and His power that made a 12 year old damsel to arise from the dead (Mk. 5: 41-42) can certainly work for you. You are not yet dead, you are alive. Your case is not as bad as Lazarus or the 12 year old dead damsel. Connect with Jesus Christ today and receive the power to arise and shine.
2. Consume God’s word: The word of God has all the divine rays of light that can make you arise and shine if used faithfully. The centurion knew the power in the word of Jesus and tapped into it when he told Jesus to just “speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed” (Mt. 8:8). Jesus hearkened to his request and honoured his faith and the servant was healed immediately. Prophet Jeremiah valued the word of God so much that he searched for it and made it part of his diet (Jer. 15:16): “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O lord God Almighty.” .Furthermore, by declaring that the “The entrance of your words gives light (Ps. 119:130a) the psalmist knew that if he could get the word of God into his system, he would shine. Even, the Almighty God Himself promised good success and prosperity (a form of arising and shining) to His people if only they would get involved with the word of God, day and night (Joshua 1:8). It is obvious therefore that one of the strategies for achieving “arise and shine” status is to create an affinity for the word of God to the point that it becomes indispensable to one as food is to continuous living.
3. Commit to God’s work: Since the Bible says “faith without work is dead” (James 2:20), any member of the house hold of faith who does not want to remain cast down as a dead lion must be prepared to do the work of God conscientiously. As a believer, your good work can make you arise and shine if you follow the counsel of Jesus in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven”. While all the works that can advance God’s kingdom agenda are important and necessary, there is one that stands out in that it can make you arise and shine. That is the work of winning souls to God as pointed out by Prophet Daniel: “And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever”. (Dan.12: 3). Do you want to arise and shine? Get busy with the work of God, particularly in winning souls.
4. Cultivate Righteous Living: Aside from connecting with Christ, ‘Consuming’ His words and committing to His work, righteous living must be the focal point of the one who will arise and shine. He or she must always strive to be in right standing with God in conversations, in deeds and in all things. Speaking through King Solomon, the word of God indicates that the righteous (or the just) will shine brighter and brighter: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). The power to live righteously has been given to us by Jesus Christ. If you use it, you will arise and shine in Jesus name.
5. Call forth God’s Promises:
Another way to appropriate the blessings of God that can make you arise and shine is to use the power of the tongue to your advantage. What I mean is that you should harvest God’s promises and plans (for you to arise and shine) by simply confessing and claiming them with your mouth and taking appropriate action to make them happen. Remember God’s words as uttered by Job: “You shall also declare a thing, and it shall be established unto you: and the light shall shine upon your ways” (Job 22: 28). Call forth positive things into your life. That can make you “arise and shine”. The Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4 practiced this and got her miracle. With her only son dead in her house she ran to Elisha for help. When Elisha asked her, “Is it well with you?” Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?” her answer was “It is well” (2 kings 4:26). The result was that God (through Elisha) honoured her positive declaration and her dead son was able to “arise and shine”. The Bible says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18:21). I declare to you who are reading this message, your life will not be cut short in Jesus name. You will “arise and shine” in the Mighty name of Jesus.

CONCLUSION

The command “arise, shine” (Isaiah 60:1) has wide applicability and is meant to transform lives if obeyed. Sinners can become saints, the downcast can be uplifted, failure can turn to success, weeping can be changed to joy, the rich can get richer, the sick can be healed.

In fact any abnormal situation is tantamount to darkness and can be reversed when the light of God comes to that situation. Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, is the source of solutions to all life problems. Anyone who wants to arise and shine must connect with Jesus Christ by accepting Him as his/her Lord and Saviour, know His words and do them. Your arising and shinning will be unstoppable in Jesus name.